With a freshly-paved and lined parking lot and cars in and out recently, Chipotle Mexican Grill in 鶹ý is nearly ready to open.

A sign on the door says the restaurant is not quite ready to open but to come back at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday.

“We promise it’ll be worth the wait!,” the sign says.

Another sign says Chipotle is hiring workers for the new location.

A sign at Chipotle Mexican Grill in 鶹ý says it is hiring workers ahead of its official opening on Wednesday, April 30.  Sharon McBrayer, The News Herald

The 鶹ý Chipotle is at 1219 Burkemont Ave. in the former KFC building. The 3,045-square-foot building has been turned into the fast-food chain’s signature look. 

It has taken the restaurant a year to open since it first submitted plans for the location to the city of 鶹ý in April 2024.

The restaurant will feature a Chipotlane drive-thru and outdoor patio. The drive-thru allows customers to place orders on the Chipotle app or website and pick it up at a drive-thru window.

Chipotle offers create-your-own burritos. Some of the restaurant chain’s most popular dishes include a chicken al pastor bowl, steak salad, chicken bowl and veggie burrito, according to its website.

A Chipotle Mexican Grill sign off Burkemont Avenue in 鶹ý.  Sharon McBrayer, The News Herald